It's About Time (GMW - Joshaya)

Chapter 69

Maya's POV (a few minutes prior)

I barely made it out of the car and into the dinner venue before tears began outpouring from my eyes. 

I kept my head down and walked swiftly. 

"Hello Miss! Are you here for the Matthews party?" 

"Yes. Please, excuse me," I said without looking up or stopping. I tried my best to cover up the tears so that nobody would stop me or question me.

I swung open the door to the Women's Bathroom and as it shut I abruptly switched the lock so that nobody would come in.

I pressed my back up against the door and let out a deep sigh of relief.

I was relieved to be out of the car, but I also knew that the car ride wasn't going to be the last time I had to face Josh. 

I just wish this weekend would end already. But the reality is, it's only Thursday, and unfortunately, the rumor on the street is that he won't be going back to Florida at the end of the weekend.

The tears continuous streamed at a steady pace.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I stood motionless with my back still against the door.

"Can I come in Maya? Please. I know something happened in that car with Josh," the voice spoke.

It was McKenzie.

I didn't say anything.

"Look, you don't have to let me in, and I'm sure you don't wanna talk about it, but maybe I can provide a little insight on this situation," she continued.

I unlocked the door. "How did you even know it was me, and how did you know that the door was locked? You didn't even try to open it," I sniffled.

"Well first of all, I saw you leave the car. Second of all, come on, I've known you for years now. I like to think I know you pretty well," she pulled me in close and squeezed me. 

There was always something so comforting about her hugs. She was like a momma bear.

I smiled up at her, feeling less anxious, and pulled away from her hug.

"I also like think I know Josh pretty well," she transitioned. "I mean, I did grow up with him after all. I saw him through the diapers, cooties, braces, first dates, first kisses, first loves, graduations, good times, bad times, new adventures...And we all know some of those times were pretty rough--especially the braces era. I mean come on, imagine that goofy grin of his with a face full of metal. It wasn't a good look on him"

I smiled at the thought of Josh with braces. I remember seeing the pictures in the photo albums at the Matthew's apartment. Somehow even with the imperfections, he was still so adorable.

"So you know about everything?" I finally asked the taboo question.

"Yea," she avoided eye contact with me this time. "But I promised him that I wouldn't tell anyone anything. And I swear I have fulfilled that up until now...in the bathroom here with you. And the only reason why I am breaching this friendship code with Josh is because I think that as your friend, you need me more right now."

"Thanks," I started to pace around the bathroom.

"For as long as I've known Josh, he has always been a good guy with a good heart. You know he would never intentionally hurt someone.."

"It doesn't matter if it's intentional or not though. Because regardless of the motives, it all hurts the same," I interrupted McKenzie. "Sorry. Continue."

"And I get that. I am a girl after all. I mean as steady as Julian and I have been, that doesn't mean that we haven't reached a couple of speed bumps along the way. Josh is a boy. Boys are idiots. No offense to them. It's just in their DNA. They make mistakes, and they sometimes don't realize the repercussions of their actions. And that doesn't mean we should always forgive them, but that doesn't mean that we should always give up on them. Josh came to me a couple days ago. Why? Because he was distraught."

My head was pounding from holding back more tears from falling.

"I know it may be hard to believe this Maya, but he does care about you. I can tell by the way he is so careful with the words he uses when  he talks about you. I can hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes. It's not a look that I've ever seen on Josh, but it reminds me of the way Julian is with me and Noah is with Shailene," McKenzie grabbed my hand.

I squeezed it and blinked back a few more tears.

"And I know you Maya. I know you haven't always had the easiest life. Your dad left and never bothered to look back until you were the one who contacted him in eighth grade. And as Josh told me, you have the greatest capacity for love that he has ever seen. I agree with him. I've seen you with our group of friends, with Josh, with his nieces and nephews, with Cory and Topanga, with your mother and Shawn...But I also know that none of that came easily or without doubt. It's hard to commit and trust when life has thrown you so many curveballs that tell you that you shouldn't. And again, I'm not saying that you should necessarily forgive and forget, but hear him out. Give him the chance to explain his side and give him  and yourself a chance to hear your side. After all those years of friendship, I think that you at least owe each other that."

"And what about bringing that guy Ben as a date? Was that your honest input or were you just trying to protect Josh?" I asked.

"Both," she declared. "I mean a random kid is probably never a great idea, but also, I didn't wanna see Josh get hurt. And I don't think you do either."

I delicately wiped beneath my eyes to make sure that there was no mascara dripping down my face. I gave myself a once over glance in the mirror and linked arms with McKenzie. 

"We better get going before people start noticing we are gone," I suggested. 

She unlocked the door and we opened it to see Josh, Riley, and Smackle.

"We'll see you out there Maya, we are just gonna run to the bathroom quickly," Riley looked at me.

Ignoring Josh's presence, I looked to Riley and Smackle and said, "Alright, I'll be with McKenzie." 

And we walked right back to the dining room area to join everyone else.

Maybe I was acting a bit crazy and neurotic with Josh. But it just felt like we have been going in circles all these years and its exhausting. McKenzie was right about clearing the air because I'd only be kidding myself if I thought that I could avoid him forever. He was my best friend's family and a friend of all my other friends. Most importantly, he was once one of my best friends.